Head Start Teacher, 10-month

About the role

The Guidance Center, a recognized leader in our field since 1958, provides a broad range of services that help children, adults, and families unlock potential and build better lives. With 25 programs, we offer treatment, prevention, growth, and education services to more than 14,200 people annually. We nurture development, foster resilience, and cultivate well-being.

This is a full-time position requiring 37.5 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Individualization, Curriculum, and Assessment
  • Plan and implement lesson plans supporting the classroom daily schedule, the HighScope Preschool curriculum, and individual children’s goals.
  • Develop and implement classroom activities encouraging cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development.
  • Develop and implement Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for preschool children with parent input, based on their strengths, interests, and needs.
  • Coordinate planning, writing, and implementation of lesson plans, incorporating ILPs, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and anecdotal note information.
  • Review and utilize Child Observation Record (COR) data to plan and develop activities supporting preschool children’s growth and development.
• Classroom Management
  • Mentor, collaborate, and work with the Assistant Teacher using the HighScope Preschool curriculum to plan and implement daily activities.
  • Promote social-emotional growth using HighScope Preschool Curriculum strategies.
  • Implement and document curriculum, health, safety, and classroom management strategies provided by Grantee Specialists or collaborative partners.
  • Maintain a safe, healthy, and clean classroom environment by regularly cleaning and sanitizing materials, furniture, and equipment.
• Documentation
  • Maintain confidentiality of all information regarding children, parents, community volunteers, and staff.
  • Identify and report suspected child abuse and neglect.
  • Initiate, complete, and submit Referral to Specialist documentation according to timelines and procedures.
  • Complete anecdotal notes to document classroom observations and children’s progress.
  • Plan, implement, and document activities on lesson plans promoting positive self-image, physical and mental health, nutrition, and diversity.
  • Complete recordkeeping for child attendance, daily meal counts, toileting, home visits, parent-teacher conferences, developmental screenings, assessments, lesson plans, and Individual Learning Plans according to required procedures and timelines.
• Family Engagement and Community
  • Assist in recruitment and enrollment of children and families.
  • Provide an atmosphere promoting and reinforcing family and volunteer engagement.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for children and families.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science/Arts (BS or BA) or Associate’s Degree (AA or AS) in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field with 12 credit hours in Early Childhood Education.
• Previous experience working with preschool children in a classroom setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of early childhood development and ability to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum practices.
• Good physical mobility, including the ability to find, direct, and move children in emergencies.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted to assist children during emergencies.
• Ability to stand consecutively for 3.5 hours per part-day class session and 5 hours per full-day class session.
• Ability to ambulate between sitting on the floor and standing, and between chair sitting and standing, a minimum of 20 times per session.
• Ability to bend and stoop to child level and lift for urgent and emergency situations.
• Ability to bend and stoop to address child concerns a minimum of 12 times per hour (e.g., tying shoes for child safety).
• Ability to sit on the floor or a child-sized chair for up to 60 minutes multiple times during a class session.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn to conduct developmental assessments of children.
• Good understanding of child development, age-appropriate behaviors, common childhood behavior problems, and appropriate interventions.
• Ability and willingness to continue personal and professional growth and skill development.
• Nonjudgmental approach reflecting cultural competency and sensitivity to the unique needs of students, families, business partners, and program participants.
• Ability to appropriately handle crisis situations.

Benefits

The Guidance Center believes team members are our most valuable resources and invests in them accordingly. We offer a competitive salary, flexible scheduling opportunities, and a team-oriented work environment.